UN group writes to Indian govt for clarification on ‘discrimination’

NRC update in Assam

Indian Express, New Delhi

Four top United Nations officials have jointly written to the Indian government seeking clarifications on allegations of certain religious, ethnic and linguistic communities being discriminated against in the Nation Register of Citizens (NRC) updating process in Assam — and are yet to get a response from the Centre.

They have claimed that another communication in June this year on the NRC has also not been responded to by the government.

In a letter dated December 13, Elina Steinerte, Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues and E Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance have written, “Please provide details on safeguards ensuring that members of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are not discriminated against in the framework of the NRC update and the determination of their citizenship status.”

The letter discusses the operating procedure of the ongoing claims and objections round of the NRC in details and raises questions as whether it will discriminate against certain communities.

Meanwhile, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that he will ensure that genuine Indian citizens are left out from the NRC if he comes to power in next Assembly elections.

Gogoi while speaking at an event in Kolkata Press Club accused the BJP of playing divisive politics and driving a wedge between Assamese and Bengalis. He also slammed the present Assam government for improper implementation of the NRC.

“If I come back to power in Assam in the next Assembly elections, we will ensure that the names of all genuine Indians are listed in the NRC.

We will implement it in a proper way,” Gogoi said.

“BJP is indulging in divisive politics in the name of implementing NRC. Be it between the Hindus and Muslims, the Assamese and Bengalis, they are dividing the people. The BJP government in Assam is depriving genuine Indian citizens of their citizenship rights,” said the former chief minister.

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UN group writes to Indian govt for clarification on discrimination

NRC update in Assam

Indian Express, New Delhi

Four top United Nations officials have jointly written to the Indian government seeking clarifications on allegations of certain religious, ethnic and linguistic communities being discriminated against in the Nation Register of Citizens (NRC) updating process in Assam and are yet to get a response from the Centre.
They have claimed that another communication in June this year on the NRC has also not been responded to by the government.
In a letter dated December 13, Elina Steinerte, Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues and E Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance have written, Please provide details on safeguards ensuring that members of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are not discriminated against in the framework of the NRC update and the determination of their citizenship status.
The letter discusses the operating procedure of the ongoing claims and objections round of the NRC in details and raises questions as whether it will discriminate against certain communities.
Meanwhile, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that he will ensure that genuine Indian citizens are left out from the NRC if he comes to power in next Assembly elections.
Gogoi while speaking at an event in Kolkata Press Club accused the BJP of playing divisive politics and driving a wedge between Assamese and Bengalis. He also slammed the present Assam government for improper implementation of the NRC.
If I come back to power in Assam in the next Assembly elections, we will ensure that the names of all genuine Indians are listed in the NRC. We will implement it in a proper way, Gogoi said.
BJP is indulging in divisive politics in the name of implementing NRC. Be it between the Hindus and Muslims, the Assamese and Bengalis, they are dividing the people. The BJP government in Assam is depriving genuine Indian citizens of their citizenship rights, said the former chief minister.
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